The Commission's report questioned whether Cole had changed his initial account after discussions with David Barnard, the Chelsea club secretary whose own evidence caused "very real concerns" and was not addressed by the Chief Magistrate in his judgment of Terry's criminal case.

Barnard insisted he had a clear memory of Cole mentioning the word 'black' in his initial FA interview, but the Commission cast doubt on the "accuracy" and "motivation" of his statement.

Chelsea issued a statement backing Cole and Barnard which said both men stood by their evidence and had "co-operated at all times" with the investigation.